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- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Challenging Start for Tyson Bagent in Bears Offense
The Chicago Bears and quarterback Tyson Bagent have long awaited an opportunity for Bagent to step up as a starter, particularly under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson. However, Bagent's latest outing proved difficult, leading to his benching during a tough 31-7 loss against the Green Bay Packers on October 11, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Bagent's Performance Leads to Benching
Bagent, starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, struggled against Green Bay's defense. He completed 12 of 21 passes, amassing only 87 yards and throwing two interceptions, resulting in a 27.4 passer rating. Both turnovers significantly stalled the Bears' offense. After Bagent's second interception, which he attributed to misreading the Packers' coverage as they shifted from a Cover 0 to a Cover 2 scheme pre-snap, Coach Johnson opted to make a change.
Keenum Steps In, But Offense Continues to Struggle
Veteran quarterback Case Keenum replaced Bagent in the fourth quarter. Keenum completed 11 of 19 passes for 108 yards. However, he too was intercepted and lost a fumble, ending with a 52.1 passer rating. Despite the quarterback change, the Bears were unable to regain momentum or mount a comeback against a dominant Packers team.
Coach Johnson Noncommittal on Next Starter
Following the loss, Ben Johnson did not confirm who would be the starter for the upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons, should Caleb Williams remain unavailable. Williams practiced on a limited basis for the first time after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on September 20 against the Vikings, but his status remains uncertain for the next matchup.
Bagent Reflects on Mistakes and Sees Room for Growth
After being pulled from the game, Bagent accepted responsibility for his errors: "You would definitely not want to be benched, especially with the opportunity that I’ve been blessed with, but ... I’ve got to play better," he said. He noted the importance of self-evaluation, "I’ve got to look in the mirror, see where I can continue to get better, because there’s a lot of things still, even this far into my career, that I can certainly get better at."
Case Keenum Emphasizes Resilience and Encouragement
Keenum, a seasoned NFL veteran now in his 15th season and on his ninth team, is well-acquainted with the ups and downs of pro football. After the game, Keenum offered words of encouragement to the benched Bagent, though he kept their conversation mostly private. Speaking to the press, Keenum highlighted the importance of resilience: "You don’t last very long in this league if you don’t know how to get back up when you’ve had your ass kicked. That’s just the way it is. There’s really good players, really good coaches, really good teams, and if you last long enough, it’s just a matter of time that you’re going to get your ass kicked."
He continued, "It’s not about that. It’s about how you respond. I expect him to respond like he knows how to. It’s adversity to learn from. It’s an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and move on and not make them again." Keenum's approach underscores how vital player encouragement can be when navigating the challenges of NFL competition.
Looking Ahead for the Bears Quarterback Position
As the Bears face uncertainty at the quarterback position with Caleb Williams recovering, the team must decide whether Bagent or Keenum will start if Williams is unavailable. Both passers have faced recent football adversity, but Keenum's message reinforces the importance of response and growth in the face of tough games. The coming weeks will test the resilience of the Bears' quarterback room as they seek improvement in their quarterback performance and offensive execution.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
